Desperate to go back to work !!!

[kerrymilesy]

i have 2kids, 8 and 11, and used to work as a healthcare worker. Since getting divorced 3yrs ago, i was forced to give up work, as i was unable to do shift work with kids being so young. I've been with new partner for a couple of years, who also does shift work, but i want to go back to work too !!! childminders dont work weekends, or past 7/8pm and their arnt many jobs now that dont involve shift work... even the local supermarkets !!! I dont have family close by that can help out, and i dont want to rely on friends because of all the "squit" in the media of the two police women that "job shared" to cover childcare.... what am i supposed to do ????? i need to work for my own sanity !!! If i HAVE to wait untill the kids are old enough to look after themselves, what are the rules on kids being at home ??? age ??? etc...

Could you do bank work as a healthcare worker? That way you can pick your hours for school hours or around your partners shifts.

You have my sympathy but I wouldn't be planning to leave your kids until they are all at least of secondary school age (and not for long periods then!)
If you have a friend you can rely on then that is an option, I can't imagine how the authorities would find out, even if they were interested and Ofsted wouldn't want another fuss after the outrage caused the last time.
What is your ex doing? Couldn't he help out a bit?

Can I clarify about what happened with the two policewomen? I have a very similar arrangement with a friend and so paid close attention when it all blew up last year.

The issue was that the rules say if you care for someone else's child in return for "reward" then you must be Ofsted registered. Ofsted chose to take the line with the two policewomen that if the parent whose child you look after then looks after your child in return then that is "reward".

Ed Balls, who was Children's Secretary at the time, wrote to Ofsted and said that "it had never been the government's intention to intervene in such arranagements. He asked Oftsed to treat such situations as beyond its jurisdiction with immediate effect".

You can read a Guardian article from the time here: www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/oct/12/friends-childcare-legal-balls

So if you have a friend who is prepared to help you out I wouldn't rule it out. The important thing is that you don't pay them, because that would make it a financial transaction rather than a reciprocal arrangement.

Hi all. i tried bank work, but it worked out that i only had (on average) 1 shift p/w, due to shifts 'clashing' with my partners (he works on the railways, and is not always guaranteed to finish on time if trains run late, etc).

Im not on great terms with ex, and he only see's his girls whenever it suits him and his fiancee... not exactly the stability they need in their life eh ??? :(

I did hear that LEAGALLY children are able to be left on their own at the age of 14, and are allowed to 'babysit' at 16. ????